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Clinical Skills Training in Opioid Addiction

(Est time: 1 hr) This module will help the learner understand the pharmacology of opioid receptors and the opioids that interact with them. Buprenorphine, in particular, will be discussed with regard to its unique pharmacological properties and its use as a treatment for opioid dependence.

Goal: The learner will understand the pharmacological mechanisms of opioids, including opioid dependence and its treatment with buprenorphine.

Module Objectives:

Identify the 3 types of opioid receptors (mu, kappa and delta) and their reaction to the presence of different types of opioids.

(Est time: 1 hr) This course is intended to familiarize students with the common co-occurring disorders, available treatment options, and necessary skills and attitudes for working successfully with dual-diagnosis patients.

Goal: The learner will be able to recognize the psychiatric and physical comorbidities that frequently present with opioid dependence as well as recommend treatment for dual-diagnosis patients.

Module Objectives:

Be familiar with assessment and treatment measures for co-morbid conditions.

Identify mental and physical disorders that co-occur with opioid use disorder.

Distinguish between primary and secondary comorbid conditions.

Understand the treatment challenges health providers face when working with dual-diagnosis patients.

(Est time: 0.5 hrs) Within a category of medication such as opioids there are variations in medications that can have a significant impact on both positive and negative effects. This module will provide an overview for how to select the appropriate opioid treatment for a patient who needs chronic opioid therapy, based on pharmacological and patient variables.

Goal: The medical student will be able to effectively select an appropriate opioid for patients who need chronic opioid therapy and communicate the risks and benefits of the selected opioid medication with the patient.

Module Objectives:

Choose short vs. long term opioid based on individual factors

Develop a medication treatment plan based on pain variables

Develop a medication treatment plan based on historical variables including addiction history and past opioid use

(Est time: 1 hr) This module will address the detection and diagnosis of opioid abuse and dependence in the general patient population via effective patient-physician interaction and screening techniques.

Goal: The learner will be able to detect, evaluate and diagnose individuals with opioid dependence.

Module Objectives:

Understand how to conduct a basic patient interview assessing for opioid use disorders.

Differentiate between opioid abuse and opioid dependence according to the DSM-IV, along with associated terminology, such as withdrawal and tolerance.

How to use standardized instruments and appropriate language when assessing patients for opioid use disorders.

The significance of a diagnosis and how to approach the patient regarding a diagnosable opioid use disorder.

FUNDED BY

Module development and evaluation has been funded solely through learner fees and funding from the NIH including: Buprenorphine Medical Student Education (#R44-DA12066), Medical Student Education on Alcohol Abuse and Dependence (#1R44AA016724-01A1), Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues (ELSI) Associated with Genetics (#R25-HG02266), Tobacco Cessation Web Based Modules for AHEC Students (Grant #R44HL65885), and Medical Student Pain Education (Grant #1R44DA027245-01). The website and Clinical Tools receive no support from the pharmaceutical or device manufacturing industries.